Container for annular articles



June 4, 1957 K. E. BRODERICK CONTAINER FOR ANNULAR ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Hay 6, 1954 mvsmoa KENflJETH E. BRODERICK June 4, 1957 K. E. BRODERICK CONTAINER FOR ANNULAR ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 6, 1954 INVENTOR KENNETH E. BRODERICK United States Patent 9 CONTAINER FOR ANNULAR ARTICLES Kenneth E. Broderick, New Hyde Park, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Brown & Bailey Company, Cmcmnatl, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio 7 Application May 6, 1954, Serial No. 427,973

4 Claims. 01. 229-27 My container is designed for packaging annular articles such as piston rings for internal combustion engines but is equally adapted for packaging other articles of generally similar nature; for convenience I shall therefore refer to the said articles as piston rings Whatever'be their specific character but Without in any way intending thereby to restrict or confine theuse of the invention solely to the packaging of such rings.

Each piston of an internal combustion engine is provided with a plurality of expansible rings normally of different design and construction in accordance with the particular function the ring is to perform, that is, to preserve compression, prevent oil leakage or the like; hence for a multi-cylinder engine, for example a 4-cylinder one, four rings of each type are required and for an 8-cylinder engine eight of each type. After extended use the rings wear and begin to function .improperly and it is then customary to replace them with new ones, a job usually done by a garage, service station or the like. Consequently as a matter of convenience to the user and to insure the proper replacement rings are installed in a given job, it is customary for the ring manufacturer to supply the rings in sets appropriate for a given model and make of engine, and the container of my invention affordsa receptacle for packaging a set of rings in such way that the rings of each type comprised in the set are kept separate from those of the other types and all are adequately protected from damage during transit or storage preparatory to the time it is desired to install them in an engine when they then can be readily removed from the container in any desired sequence, thatvis, all the oil rings first, then the compression rings and so on in accordance with the preference of the mechanic. Thus he may first remove and install the oil rings while leaving the others in the package until he is ready for the compression onesand so on; meanwhile the various rings remaining in the container are kept clean and inappropriate groups until the mechanic is ready to use them.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of a novel container for annular articles such as piston rings in which the articles can be convenient y packaged after the container is appropriately set up and conditioned and in which, after packaging, various types of rings embodied in the set are maintained in segregated groups each held in the container against accidental or other displacement therefrom but in such manner that any group may be selectively removed from it preparatory to installation in an engine.

A further object is the provision of a container of this character formed from a single flat blank of cardboard or other generally similar sheet material appropriately cut, scored and at certain points weakened, which blank after formation is glued or otherwise fastened and folded at appropriate points by the container maker in such manner it may be shipped fiat to the piston ring manufacturer or other user preparatory to being set up by him for reception and packaging of the rings.

A still further object is the provision of such a container which after disposition of the rings therein may Patented June 4, 1951 be enclosed a cardboard or other appropriate jacket or box for shipment, this jacket being desirably provided with an opening or window in its end or other suitable point through which indicia designating'the make and ice model of the engine for which the contained rings are intended may be'readily observed when the package is stored on a stockroom shelf or the like, thus facilitating selection by the mechanic of the proper set of rings for each particular job.

Other objects and novel features of design, construction and arrangement comprehended by my invention are hereinafter more particularly pointed out or will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of one embodiment thereof particularly suitable, as has been mentioned, for packaging individual sets of piston rings comprising variant types each designed for reception in a particular groove in a given piston.

' Referring now to said drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the cut, scored and weakenedblank from which the container is formed;

Fig. 2 on a larger scale is a like view of the blank after it has been glued and folded for shipment by the container maker;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the blank shown in Fig. 2 after it has been turned end for end, opened up and partially conditioned for reception of the rings;

Fig. 4, on a smaller scale, is a perspective view showing the container after it has been substantially fully conditioned for reception of the rings;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the container after the rings, indicated in dotted lines, have been disposed therein;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view thereof, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the filled container seated in an outside jacket with the lid and one of the end flaps of the jacket only partially closed.

In Fig. 1 and other figures the lines on which the blank is creased for subsequent folding are indicated in dot and dash; those where it is weakened to facilitate subsequent tearing apart, by dots; and those where it is entirely out through, by full lines. In those figuresin which they appear the piston rings are conventionally indicated in dotted lines, no attempt being made to specifically differentiate the types of rings in the several groups.

As best shown in Fig. 1 the blank comprises two similar main panels P, P separated longitudinally by a short weakened zone 3 beginning at the end 1 of the blank, a cut 4, a longer weakened zone 5, a score 6, another weakened zone 7, a cut 8, a third weakened zone 9, a cut 10 and a fourth weakened zone 11; both panels are transversely scored across their combined width by scores 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, thus dividing both panels into transversely aligned rectangular areas. Those areas respectively lying between scores 12 and 13, 14 and 15, and 16 and 17 are square, the same size in each panel and somewhat larger than the maximum diameter of the rings to be packaged; the area between end 1 of the panel and score 12 and that area between scores 13 and 14 though of equal Width measured normal to said scores, are respectively narrower than the areas just mentioned and ultimately determine the depth of the container, while the area between scores 15 and 16' which determines the position of the separator therein is even narrower. Proximate the other end of the blank,.

scores 27, 28. Likewise extendingoppositely outward? from the areas defined between end 1 and score 12 are end tabs 30, 31 defined from their respectively adjacent areas by prolongations of scores 21, 22 and in a similar way like end tabs 32, 33 project oppositely outward from the areas between scores 13, 14; being defined therefrom by prolongations of scores 21, 22 in the opposite direction.

Fora purpose hereinafter describedthe areas of the main panels respectively lying between scores 12, 13 are cut through to define lock tabs 35, 36 which are hinged to the respectively adjacent stock by scores 37, 38 paralleling theside edges of the main panels. Each of these lock tabs is preferably approximately of the shape shown, having a free terminalend paralleling the adjacent hinge score but somewhat shorter than the latter and oppositely curved side edges. In a generally similar way the areas of the main panels lying between scores 14, 15 are similarly eutand scored to provide other lock tabs 40, 41 hinged to the stock by scores 42, 43 aligned with scores37, 38. These tabs, however, are preferably narrower measured transversely of the blank than tabs 35, 36 though of approximately the same width asthe latter; consequently their sides curve oppositely outward from their free extremities somewhat more sharply than those of tabs 35, 36, while the greatest width of each tab measured along its hinge score is less than the internal diameter of the rings to be packaged. Preferably the curved sides of the several tabs terminate a little. short of the free ends thereof and are connected with the latter by short, straight cuts to facilitate introduction of the tabs to the slots 39 now to be described.

These slotsare cut in those areas 'of the main panels lying between scores 16, 17 insubstantial longitudinal alignment with the hinge scores associated, withthe respective lock tabs, the slots being of length approximating the free ends of said tabs and of width sufficient to accommodate two plies of the cardboard or other material of which the blank is made.

The zones 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 in which the blank is weakened, as distinguished from being scored or. entirely out through, are preferably formed by perforating the blank with a series of small spaced holes similar to the perforations in a sheet of postage stamps to facilitate tearing apart, but if preferred this weakness may be imparted in any other suitable manner such, for example, as by cutting the stock part way through.

.The blank having been prepared as described, is now folded upwardly and inwardly, when viewed as in Fig. 1, on the several transverse scores so as to ultimately bring flaps 19, '20 into coincidence with the'areas of the panels defined by scores 13, 14 with the free ends of the flaps in substantial coincidence with the latter score. In this position the flaps are then glued or otherwise secured to the main panels and the areas defined between scores 15, 16 likewise secured to the inner faces of the areas between end 1 of the blank and score 12 with score 16 substantially coincident with the said end. It will of course be appreciated that during these operations the glue, if employed, is applied to the faces of glue flaps 19, 20 and to the areas between scores 15, 16 on the side of the blank opposite to that shown in Fig. 1 or if staples are used they are appropriately passed through the juxtaposed parts.

If the folded and glued blank be now flattened out and turned through an angle of 90 to the position shown in Fig. 2 it will present substantially the appearance shown therein and at no point will comprise more than four thicknesses of stock and these only where the parts have been secured together. It therefore lends itself to convenient and economical shipment to the piston ring manufacturer by whom it is set up and conditioned for reception of the rings in the manner now to be described.

To effect this conditioning the blank is first pressed in a generally sidewise direction between the hands so as to bring those areas of the panels containing the lock tabs into substantially parallel spaced relation with the panel nearly completedbut with the container inverted from areas respectively defined by end 1 and score 12 and scores 13 and 14 substantially normal thereto, this operation also disposing those areas containing slots 39 in substantial parallelism with the first mentioned areas to thereby form a separator S between them. The end flaps and end tabs now project freely outwardly from the thus formed tubular body of generally rectangular cross section and so can readily be folded toward and tucked into the body to close its ends. Fig. 3 shows the general appearance of the container at this'stage after the end flaps and end tabs at its upper right'hand end when viewed as in said figure have beentucked in and the corresponding flap and tabs at its other end are ready to be similarly folded and tucked to thereby close both ends of the body.

To finally condition the container for receiving the rings it is next bent upon itself about score 6 as generally indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3 soas ultimately to bring end flaps 2 3, 24 of the container substantially into the same plane, an operation easily performed without injuring the stock by reason of the disposition of the weakened and cut zones separating main panels P, P in the blank. More particularly from observation of the latter it will be noted that in only one portion of the line of separation between the panels, namely, in scored zone 6, is the full strength of the stock preserved, it being entirely cut through in zones 4, 8 and 10 and weakened by perforations or the like in zones 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. It

" results that when appropriate oppositely directed pressure is exerted on the ends. of the set-up body the parts thereof adjacent the perforated zones readily separate without damage to the stock, the operation just described being readily understood from Fig; 4 which shows. it

the position of Fig. 3. Upon completion of the aforesaid operation the container thuscomprises two hingedly connected similar hollow sections each defining an open ended chamber divided by separator S to thereby form two compartments in each, one compartment being transversely wider than the other if that portion of the original blank defined by scores 15, 16 is relatively narrower than the areas containing locking tabs 35, 36, 40, 41. Obviously byv varying'the width of the said area in the original blank the position of the separator in the hollow sections can be correspondingly varied to appropriately accommodate the rings to be packaged therein; normally, however, the groups of rings designed for the upper piston grooves are of less thickness measured axially than the groups for the lower grooves and can thus be accommodated in a compartment narrower than the latter.

The several groups of rings are now placed in the appropriate compartments conveniently while the container is resting on its closed ends and the lock tabs 35, 36, 40,

41 are then respectively bent inward and their extremities inserted in slots 39, the extremities of each aligned pair of tabs thus overlying each other. Thereafter since a tab projects through each group of rings in each compartment "1 the rings are held in the latter as long as the tab is in position so that even if the container be inverted the rings cannot fall out of it. Fig. 5 shows a side of the container after the rings are placed therein and the tabs locked in place as just described, while Fig. 6 is a top plan view of it.

The container is now preferably placed in an outer jacket I as indicated in Fig. 7. This jacket may be of any suitable construction and of any appropriate material, cardboard, however, being preferred but, as shown, desirably consists of a rectangular body providing a chamber for snugly receiving the container and having hinged thereto end flaps F, F and a lid L, with a tuck flap at its free edge, which can be folded down over the end flaps so as to fully enclose the container and its con.- tained rings for shipment and storage. Preferably a window W is cut at an appropriate point in the wall of the jacket to register with indicia printed on the proximate wall of the container designating the make and model of engine for which the rings in the package are designed.

Of course when it is desired to make use of the rings the container is removed from the jacket and preferably stood upon its closed ends with the open ends of its compartments facing upwardly (Fig. Then any desired group of rings may be lifted from the container either after the appropriate locking tab is disengaged from locking position or frequently by merely pulling on the rings themselves, the other groups of rings remaining in the container until required for installation.

While I have herein referred more particularly to the preferred way of conditioning the container for reception of the rings, that is, by first bringing the end sections together about score 6 before introducing the rings, it will be apparent that if desired the groups of rings may be slid endwise into the container before its end flaps are infolded and tucked, the lock tabs being consecutively inturned to locking position after the rings are in place preparatory to separating the body sections.

Furthermore, while I have described and illustrated one embodiment of my invention particularly adapted as aforesaid for the packaging of piston rings, it will be readily appreciated my novel container is equally advantageous for the packaging of other generally similar articles and may be readily employed therefor if desired while, in addition, various changes and modifications in design, construction and arrangement of the original blank and in the method of conditioning it to form a container for reception of rings or other generally like articles can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A container for annular articles formed from a single blank of bendable material and comprising a tubular body of substantially rectangular cross section closed at its ends by movable end flaps, one wall of the body having a transverse score adapted to form a hinge and the other walls of the body being weakened and cut through in the plane of said score, a separator integral with the blank extending within said body normal to the scored wall thereof and provided with slots likewise normal to said wall, said separator being weakened and cut in the same plane as said other walls of the body whereby on application of appropriately oppositely directed pressure to the extremities of the body the sections thereof on the opposite side of said last mentioned plane may be separated along said weakened and cut zones and turned toward each other about said score acting as a hinge to thereby provide in each section an open ended chamber divided into two compartments by the corresponding portion of said separator each adapted for reception of annular articles, both walls of each section paralleling the separator being cut and scored to define lock tabs adapted to be inturned through the articles for reception at their extremities in said slots to thereby hold the articles in the compartments in any position of the container.

2. A container for annular articles formed from a single blank folded and fastened to provide a tubular body of substantially rectangular cross section having end flaps adapted to be folded inwardly to close its ends, one of the walls of the body midway between its ends being transversely scored and the other walls having weakened and cut zones in the plane of said score to enable the ends of the body by exertion of appropriately oppositely directed pressure to be separated in said plane and moved toward each other about said score acting as a hinge to thereby expose an open ended chamber in each section for reception of articles to be packaged in the container, said blank also comprising a portion forming a separator in each chamber extending thereacross substantially normal to the score about which the sections are moved and containing a slot, a wall of each section paralleling said separator being cut and scored to define a lock tab adapted after annular articles are positioned in the adjacent compartment between said wall and said separator to be infolded and extended at its extremity through said slot to thereby hold said articles in the compartment.

3. A blank of bendable sheet material formable into a container for annular articles, said blank comprising two similar main panels defined from each other by a line containing a weakened zone, a cut zone and a single scored zone, each panel having transverse scores aligned with those in the other panel dividing it into a plurality of areas, that area adjacent one end of the panel being rectangular, the next area square, the next area rectangular and of the same size as the first area, the next area square, the next area rectangular and of less width than the other rectangular areas and the next area square and carrying a fastening lap defined therefrom by the last of said transverse scores, an end flap extending outwardly from the first mentioned square area and a tuck fiat at its extremity, said tuck flap and end flap being defined by scores normal to the first mentioned transverse scores and an end tab projecting outwardly from each of the wider rectangular areas and defined therefrom by a score in prolongation of that defining the end flap, at least one of the square areas in each panel being cut and scored to provide a lock tab bendable into a plane substantially normal to that of the area and another of said areas being provided with a slot adapted to receive the end of said tab after the blank is formed up, the slot and the score partly defining the tab being in substantial alignment longitudinally of the panel.

4. A blank of bendable sheet material formable into a container for annular articles, said blank comprising two similar main panels defined from each other by a line containing a weakened zone, a cut zone and a single scored zone, each panel having transverse scores aligned with those in the other panel dividing it into a plurality of rectangular areas, three of said areas being of the same length and the other areas being shorter measured longitudinally of the panel, two of the longer areas adapted to form opposed walls of a tubular body of substantially rectangular cross section after the blank is formed up, two of the shorter areas the other opposed walls thereof and the third of the longer areas a separator extending within the body parallel to said first mentioned walls, a lap hinged to and projecting from the third area for securement during the forming-up of the blank to one of the shorter areas to support the separator and an area between that carrying the lap and the adjacent longer area adapted for securement to the other shorter area likewise during the forming-up, the body being thereafter separable along said cut and weakened line by bending the extremities of the body about the scored portion of said line to thereby form two open ended hingedly connected hollow sections each divided 'by a corresponding portion of the separator, the wallforming longer areas being cut and scored to form hinged lock tabs and the third of said areas being provided with slots for reception of the ends of the tabs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 19,029 Sugerman Dec. 19, 1933 219,273 King Sept. 2, 1879 1,046,337l Schoettle Dec. 3, 1912 1,077,322 Ward NOV. 4, 1913 1,578,066 Boling-broke Mar. 23, 1926 1,866,323 Russell July 5, 1932 2,042,107 Koeble May 26, 1936 2,081,574 Bueschel May 25, 1937 2,596,331 Ferguson May 13, 1952 2,597,377 Robinson May 20, 1952 2,640,589 Foster et a1. June 2, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS $3,138 Sweden May 9, 1901 

